We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and sharp astronomer with experience in the field of the formation and evolution of galaxies to work as a:

Postdoctoral researcher in Extragalactic Astronomy

Understanding the Formation and Evolution of the Smallest Galaxies

Job description:

You will lead research attempting to shed light on the formation and evolution of the smallest galaxies.

With the large-area imaging HI surveys planned for Apertif, the wide-field upgrade of the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope, it is expected that a large number of very small, gas-dominated galaxies will be discovered in and around the Local Group, and around other nearby galaxies. Understanding the formation and evolution of such small gas-rich galaxies is an interesting challenge by itself, but will also give a unique view on the conditions and processes during the early epoch in the history of the Universe when the very first galaxies formed.

As member of the Apertif Survey Team, you will lead the efforts to perform the Apertif survey for dwarf galaxies, and be involved in the interpretation of the results.

The postdoctoral researcher will work at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, ASTRON, in Dwingeloo.

Job requirements:

a PhD degree in astronomy, astrophysics, or a related discipline;

experience in the field of formation and evolution of galaxies;

experience with radio astronomy observations and techniques;

publication experience in refereed scientific journals;

good oral and written communications skills in English.

We offer:

a contract for two years plus a one year extension, pending good performance;

a stimulating work environment with access to excellent computational and observational facilities, and ample travel support for conferences or work visits;

ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, is located just outside the town of Dwingeloo, in The Netherlands. Its mission is to make discoveries in radio astronomy happen via the development of novel and innovative technologies, the operation of world-class radio astronomy facilities and the pursuit of fundamental astronomical research.

You will work in the ASTRON Galaxy Group, which currently consists of six staff members (Morganti, Oosterloo, de Blok, Wise, McKean and Adams), 8 post-docs and several PhD students, and which has strong ties to the Universities of Groningen, Leiden and Amsterdam. The interests in this group are varied and range from galaxy structure and dynamics, the interstellar and intergalactic medium, galaxy clusters, gravitational lensing, cosmic magnetism, large continuum and HI surveys to Active Galactic Nuclei.

More generally, ASTRON astronomers are active in many other frontline research areas, such as the Epoch of Reionisation, pulsars and compact objects and the transient radio sky. They are also heavily involved in the operation and use of the WSRT and of LOFAR, and in supercomputing astronomy in general. ASTRON astronomers are involved in preparations for the SKA. Other front-line research facilities available to astronomers resident in the Netherlands include XMM, ESO, ALMA, and the ING telescopes.

You can apply for this job (ref.nr. 2017-06-041) via the ‘Apply now’ button below. Applications should include an introduction letter, curriculum vitae, and description of research interests. Please also arrange for three letters of reference to be sent to personnel@astron.nl. The deadline for submission is 1 October 2017. Candidates will be considered until the position has been filled.